Multitasking on Android: 5 ways to do multiple things at the same time

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Print documents, flip through web pages and watch videos in parallel - almost like on a desktop.

We are used to multitasking on computers. Before us are many open windows, between which we switch in the blink of an eye.

It's different on smartphones. Although screen sizes have grown from year to year, we still only open one app at a time, just like in the days of the first iPhone. But there are a few tricks that can help you overcome this limitation.

1. Switch between applications

From version 7.0 of Nougat and up, Android has a convenient way to quickly switch between the current application and the most recently opened application. To do this, double-click on the square "Recent" button in the navigation bar, then select the program.

You won't find buttons in Android 9.0 Pie. Instead, swipe up to the middle of the screen. Then swipe right or left (up or down in MIUI) to find the app you want.

There are also alternative ways to switch. For example, the Edge Action and Floating Bar utilities create a floating button at the edge of the screen that opens a panel with frequently used programs.

2. Divide the screen in half

Android also has the ability to place two applications on the screen at once. For example, you can open Google Docs in the lower half of the screen, and a browser in the upper half to copy the text you want into your document without wasting time switching.

To open two applications at the same time, click on the program switch button (square) on the navigation bar. Drag one app to the top of the screen. Then just click on the second one. The screen will split: one program will be on top, the other on the bottom.

In Android 9.0 Pie, with gestures instead of buttons, the procedure is slightly different. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the edge. Applications you open will appear - press and hold on the desired one. Then select the Split Screen option. Open the second program and the screen is split in half.

By dragging the separator between applications, you can choose which program will take up more space on the display. And if you drag an element to the top or bottom, you'll exit split-screen mode.

3. Launch two applications with one click

If you liked the trick from the previous paragraph, Split Screen Launcher will come in handy. Let's say you have several pairs of programs that you regularly use at the same time. Split Screen Launcher creates shortcuts on the home screen with selected applications. Click on the shortcut - and both programs are launched in split display mode. Very convenient and fast.

4. Watching the video in picture-in-picture mode

Another useful Android feature is picture-in-picture mode. It allows you to watch videos in a separate floating window that is displayed on top of the main open application.

There are a fair number of programs that display a picture in a floating window: VLC, Google Play Movies, Skype and, of course, YouTube. However, to watch YouTube videos this way, you need a Premium subscription. Alternatively, you can install the third-party YouTube Vanced client, where this feature is provided free of charge.

Most applications go into picture-in-picture mode by pressing the Home key on the navigation bar. In some, for example, in the same VLC, this option must first be enabled in the settings.

5. Open applications in windows

Split screen mode is useful, but its capabilities are rather limited. You cannot open more than two applications at the same time.

But you can go further and turn your Android into a kind of Windows with its windows. There are several ways to do this.

The first method does not require unnecessary gestures from you: just install the Floating Apps application.

It has a built-in browser, document viewer, note editor, calculator and other programs - 41 applications in total. They open in floating windows, so you can work in multi-window mode.

The possibilities of Floating Apps are also not limitless, but there is a second way. No additional software required, it uses a hidden built-in Android feature. But keep in mind that this does not work on all firmwares - only on Android 7.0 Nougat.

Open the smartphone settings, find the item "Build number" there and click on it until you see the inscription "You have become a developer."

The menu item "For Developers" will appear. Go there, scroll down to the bottom and look for the Force activities to be resizable option. Turn it on and restart your smartphone.

You should now be able to open applications in separate floating windows. It looks something like this:

On Android versions after 7.0 Nougat, you need to do something different. Install the Taskbar application: it creates a kind of taskbar at the bottom of the screen, just like in desktop operating systems. With its help, you can quickly switch between applications.

But the most interesting feature of Taskbar is the mode of separate windows. Before enabling it, do not forget to backup your data. Then go to the Taskbar settings and select the Freeform option. The program will ask you to enable USB debugging. Do this as described in our guide.

Then connect your smartphone to your computer. Allow USB debugging and follow for your android version.

This is what Android apps look like when they are open in windows:

The use of windows is justified on Android-tablets with a large screen diagonal. It seems that this is something like a desktop OS. And if you connect a keyboard and mouse, it will be great. On smartphones, the usefulness of the multi-window mode is rather questionable.